How do you replace the thermostat on a 2001 alero?

Answer 1

First off all drain the coolant out of the rad and engine, But first loosen the rad cap on the top of the coolant reservoir, the drain is located at the bottom of the rad on the right hand side( akward spot to get at) about 4 litres. after draining the coolant the thermostat housing is located on the right hand side of the engine where the lower rad hose is attached, the best way to remove the 2 hoses attached to the housing is to remove the 2 10mm bolt holding the housing on to the engine and after the bolts are removed just wiggle the housing from the hoses. The thermostat can not be changed like the old style engines the complete assy has to be replaced. after housing removed clean all mating surfaces and re-install new housing with hoses attached( no need for silicone or any thing the sealing material is applied to the new housing from the factory usually blue or black).Next tighten all open drains and double check hose connections to be sure they are tight, then refill system with coolant and re install rad cap, after filled with coolant start engine, it will be full of air and will need air bleed off after engine has ran for awile, While engine is running one way to bleed off the air is to loosen the bleeder on the top left of the rad(loosen slowly) or slowly squeeze to top rad hose while looking at the reservoir tank and seeing the air be relieved to the tank, also helps to about every 5 minutes slowly loosen the reservoir cap slowly releasing the air, Keep doing this whole deal until you get heat out the heater, it may take awhile but you will get it, whole job will probably take 1 1/2 to 2 hrs total

Good luck